Hilite´s company history starts in June 1999 with the purchase of Hilite Industries (a Nasdaq listed company) by Carreras, Kestner & Co.. Hilite Industries produce components for brake systems and all wheel drive.

In August 1999  Acutex (a part of SPX Corp.) in Whitehall, Michigan is acquired. Acutex specializes in development and production of solenoid valves, mainly for automatic transmission applications.

One year later, in August 2000, Hilite purchased Northern Stamping, a family owned company with 3 locations in Cleveland, Ohio producing complex stampings.

The fist step to Europe is completed in July 2001 with the acquisition of EBEA, producing precision parts, with 2 locations in France.

The preliminary target to reach an apportionment of 50:50 (Northern America: Europe) as a global supplier of the automotive industry was eventually fulfilled in May 2002 with the acquisition of  Hydraulik-Ring, a SiemensVDO Automotive Company. Hydraulik-Ring is specialized in development and production of hydraulic high-tech components and systems for engine, transmission and chassis.